Latching device



Oct. 11, 1949. H. B. REID v 2,484,738

LATCHING DEVICE Filed 001, 20, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 \Ah &\

, Jib/way Oct. 11, 1949. H. B. REID 2,484,738

LATCHING DEVICE Filed Oct. 20, 1947 2 Sheets- Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

6?; 5. Reid Patented Oct. 11, 1949 UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE LATCHJNG DEVICE Hay B. Reid, Fairhaven, Mass. Application October ZO, 1947, Serial No. 780,887

This invention relates to door handles and latching mechanisms and more particularly to those types of door handles which are pushed to unlatch doors in contrast to those types which are turned to accomplish the same result.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a door-handle device which, when pushed, releases the latching mechanism of a door and thereby causes the latter to open with greater case than any of the present conventional door handles. For example, the difficulty which is often incurred in opening doors, when ones hands are wet or slippery, or when one is carrying a quantity of articles, is greatly reduced by means of this invention.

Another object is to provide a door handle which is relatively inexpensive tomanufacture and may be made as ornamental and attractive as desired.

Another object is to provide ajdoor-handle device and latching mechanism which may be readily substituted for those already installed in substantially all types of doors within which the latching means are enclosed.

The principal feature of this invention consists of a helically threaded core-and-sleeve mechanism whereby, when the pushable element of the door handle is operated, the core is rotated within said sleeve to actuate the latching mechanism.

Other objects and features will appear from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which- Fig. 1 is a vertical, longitudinal cross-sectional view through the center of the door and a preferred form of the device of this invention, and Fig. 2 is a view taken on line '2--2 of Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrows, certain parts being shown in elevation, others in cross-section, and still others removed for purposes of description and illustration. H

Longitudinally and vertically disposed within door I is mortise 2 within which is fitted case 3 so that the outside face of the front wall thereof is flush with the edge of the door. One of the side walls of said case isdetachable and may be removed or replaced by any suitable means such as bolts 3a screwed into threaded holes inthe opposite side wall of said case. Through said front wall is opening 4 through which extends and is actuated latch bolt. 5. The latter is preferably provided with incline 6 sloping inwardly down to a narrow portion of said bolt on the upper surface of whicharerack teeth I,- which extend across the bolt at. right angles to the .6 Claims. (Cl. 292-472) inside of the grooves ll.

length thereof. It will be readily understood that the incline 6 may be eliminated or slope upwardly. On the innermost end of the bolt and preferably an integral part thereof is cylindrical extension 8 in telescopic engagement with cylindrical tube 9 fixed to the rear wall of the case 3. Lying within the tube 9 between the inner end of the extension 8 and said rear wall is spring Ill tending to push the bolt outwardly. The bolt is guided by tongues l2, one on each of the side walls of the case, and preferably integral parts thereof, which fit into grooves ll, one in either side of said bolt. The grooves ll extend the length of the bolt, and the tongues l2 extend from the front wall of the case inwardly a distance substantially equal to the length of the bolt.

To prevent the bolt from being forced outwardly beyond its normal latching position by the pressure of the spring I 0, the bolt is preferably provided with inverted U-shaped lug or washer l3 straddling said bolt by means of legs M, integral parts of said washer, which fit into vertical grooves [5 cut into the sides of said bolt As the spring l0 tends to force the bolt outwardly, the upper portion of the washer l3 and those portions of the legs l4 below the grooves I5 stop the bolt at a predetermined point by abutting the front wall of the case 3 above and below the opening 4. When it is desired to disassemble the device, the washer l3 may be pulled off the bolt, its legs [4 sliding in the grooves l5, thereby releasing the bolt from the case.

The door handle of this invention, one on either side of the door, consists of conventional knoblike part It, stem l1 and plate I8, the latter being preferably and integral circular flange of the stem I! which is also preferably an integral part of the knob l6. Within the knob l6 and stem I1 is cylindrical tubular opening I 9. The inner end of the stem I1 is preferably threaded and screwed into a circular threaded hole through the side of the door and case. The plate I8 is provided with holes into which are inserted oppositely disposed bolts 20, provided with screwheads 23 at one end and threads 22 at the other end. These holes are either bevelled to receive the heads 21 or threaded to receive the ends 22 of the bolts 20, which also pass through holes in the sides of the door and case.

Within, and near the innermost end of, the cylindrical opening l9 and fixed to the inner surface of the stem I! is cylindrical sleeve or tube 23, on the inner surface of which are helical 3 tongues 24 integral parts thereof. Inserted into said sleeve is cylindrical core 25 in the peripheral surface of which are helical grooves 26, adapted to mesh with the tongues 24. Centrally fixed to the inner end of said core is attenuated cylindrical extension 21 the inner end of which is preferably threaded and screwed into a central threaded opening in gear wheel 28, which is within the innermost end of the opening 19. Centrally fixed to the outer end of the core 25 is another attenul ated cylindrical extension 29, to the outer end of which is secured, preferably in swivelled relationship, as shown, cylindrical push-button 30 adapted to slide back and forth in the opening I9. When the bolt 5 is in latching position, a portion of the push-button extends beyond the outer surface of the knob, and, when thebolt is fully withdrawn from its latching position, the outer surface of said button is preferably flush with the outer surface of the knob. Between the push button 30 and the outer'shoulder Of-th'e sleeve 23 and surrounding portions of the core 25 and extension 29 is spring 31 tending to force outwardly the push-button 30, extension 29, core 25, extension 21'! and gear wheel 28. This outward motion is terminated by the outer edge portion of the gear wheel abutting within the opening Ill the inner shoulder of the sleeve 23.

In operation, the push-button is pushed inwardlyagainst the pressure of the spring 3! forcing the core 25 to pass through the sleeve 23. Inasmuch as the latter is fixed to the stem H, the helical tongues 24 cause the core to rotate by meshing with the helical grooves 26. This-inward motion causes the gear wheel 28 to mesh with the rack teeth 1 on the bolt 5, and theretational motion causes the gear wheel to rotate, thereby forcing the rack teeth to move inwardly to withdraw the bolt 5 from its latching position against the pressure of the spring Hi. When the push-button is released,'the spring Illcaus'es the bolt 5 to move back into latching position and the rack teeth cause the gear wheel to rotate in reverse. At the same time, with the aid of the spring 3|, the core'25 is movedoutwardly and rotated in the sleeve 23, thereby causing the push-button and the gear wheel to return to their original and normal positions.

The distance between the push-button and the outer shoulder of the sleeve 23 is such that; when the button 3Uis pushed in, the 'compressed'coil of the spring 38 prevents the push-buttonLfrom being forced inwardly further than a predetermined point. This point is preferably such that the gear wheel 28 in its innermost position will not entirely cross the width of the bolt 5. The diameters and pitch of the tongues 24 and grooves 26, the diameter of, and the number and .size "of the teeth on, the gear wheel 28, and the :size

of the rack teeth 1 are sopredetermined that the above described rotational and inward motions coact to cause the device to function properly. The core and the sleeve on one side :Df the door are oppositely threaded in relation to the core and sleeve on the other side of the door so that each gear wheel 28'will turn in the desired rotational direction.

Furthermore, that part of the bolt '5 which extends outwardly beyond the opening 4,-when the bolt is in latching position, is preferably bevelled in a vertical plane on that side "of the bolt facing the door jamb, when the door is opened. The bevelled surface may be either fiat or curved, but in any-case, when the door is-bein' closed and the push-button is in its outerextending through "an. up

most position, said surface rides easily over the jamb which forces the bolt inwardly against the pressure of the spring 10. As the door becomes completely closed, the bolt is caused by said spring to snap immediately back into the hole of the door J'amb.

It will be readily understood that the foregoing description and accompanying drawings are not to be interpreted as limiting, but are merely illustrative of a preferred form of the device of this invention, and that many variations may be made without exceeding the scope thereof. For example, the device may be applied to only one side-of a door; the knob l6 may be eliminated and the tube l1 extended to replace the knob; and/ or the doorimay be of such a thickness that the device, -with the exceptions of the plate 18 and the outer end of the push-button 30, may be entirely encased within the door.

As another example,'the case 3 and mortise 2 may be eliminated by -havingthe latch bolt 5,'with its various parts-and attachments, and the tube 9, containing the spring '10, supported by extensions attached to-the i-nnersides of a hollow portion of the door. .The door handle, together with its severalparts and attachments, would continue to be supported by the door. The front edge of the latter Wouldbe extended, insubstitution for the front wall of the case, to enclose the latching means. Theopening 4 would remain :in the extended frontedge of the :door substantially in the-same manneras it is described hereinbefore andshown, Fig.1, in the front wall of the case.

Furthermore, in-the .case where two devices are employed on opposite sides ofthe door, they need not be in "mutual -axial-alignment They may be displaced: (1) longitudinal-lyin relation to the-bolt Ethy -lengthening that portion of the bolt bearing rack teeth; and/or (2) perpendicularly-in relation to :said bolt by diVidiilg that portion" of the bolt bearing :therack teeth into longitudinal-halvesa-nd stepping one half above or below-the other; or by adding rack teeth to the underside of said bolt; and 1(3) angularly in'a planeperpend-icular to the length of said bolt by tilting'each of. saidzhalves of said rack teeth, or'the upper and lower sets of said rack teeth, in a plane'parallel to the length-of said bolt and tot-he axis of ;.each::device. The third variation above may also be employed, with modifications, in the case where only one device is used.

Although, notclaimed' as "a part of this invention or shown the accompanying drawings, the bolt 5 -may;-be '10CkBd'TiI1 latching position by any suitable means rwellknown in the art. Inasmuch "as the oppositely disposed .bolts 2i] are also -old=in the art, they .are'rnot claimed as a part of this "invention, but are .:merely illustrative of one ofzsevera lv ways'zin which the case 3 and the door handle may besecured to the door in a -satisfactory=nnd 'ibnrg'lar-proof manner.

Iclaim: v

1. A device "i'or -operating a doorflatch comfprisingwa 'tubezsecured door and inserted into-oneiside :th'ereof, v teriorly threaded tubular :sleeveszifixed withi be,.a threaded cylindrical *core trotatab'ly 3 ,slid'ably extending through said sleeve: and meshing with the threads thereof, =at"sprin -g-actuate 'lin'drical member secured to the-"outer end aidcoreand slidably, rbut 'slimite'dly, :iextend through the outer end of :said tube, v1a essprin ctuated latch bolt slidably mountedrwithin. door and :limitedly in the :front edge thereof, rack teeth across an inner portion of said bolt, and a gear wheel secured in axial alignment to the inner end of said core and adapted to mesh with said rack teeth.

2. A device for operating a door latch comprising a tube secured to a door, the inner end of said tube being inserted into one side of said door, a knob-like member around the circumference of the outer end of said tube, an interiorly threaded cylindrical case rotatably and slidably extending through said sleeve and meshing with the threads thereof, a spring-actuated cylindrical member secured to the outer end of said core and slidably, but limitedly, extending through the outer end of said tube, a springactuated latch bolt slidably mounted within said door and limitedly extending through an opening in the front edge thereof, rack teeth across an inner portion of said bolt, and a gear wheel secured in axial alignment to the inner end of said core and adapted to mesh with said rack teeth.

3. A device for operating a door latch comprising a case in a mortise in a door, a tube secured to said door and inserted into one side of said case and door, an interiorly threaded tubular sleeve fixed within said tube, a threaded cylindrical core rotatably and slidably extending through said sleeve and meshing with the threads thereof, a spring-actuated cylindrical member secured to the outer end of said core and slidably, but limitedly, extending through the outer end of said tube, a spring-actuated latch bolt slidably mounted within said case and limitedly extending through an opening in the front wall thereof, rack teeth across an inner portion of said bolt, and a gear wheel secured in axial alignment to the inner end of said core and adapted to mesh with said rack teeth.

4. A device for operating a door latch comprising a case in a mortise in a door, a tube secured to said door, the inner end of said tube being inserted into one side of said case and door, a knob-like member around the circumference of the outer end of said tube, an interiorly threaded cylindrical case rotatably and slidably extending through said sleeve and meshing with the threads thereof, a spring-actuated cylindrical member secured to the outer end of said core and slidably, but limitedly, extending through the outer end of said tube, a spring-actuated latch bolt slidably mounted within said case and limitedly extending through an opening in the front wall thereof, rack teeth across an inner portion of said bolt, and a gear wheel secured in axial alignment to the inner end of said core and adapted to mesh with said rack teeth.

5. A device for operating a door latch comprising a case in a mortise in a door, a tube secured to said door and inserted into one side of said case and door, an interiorl threaded tubular sleeve fixed within said tube, a threaded cylindrical core rotatably and slidably extending through said sleeve and meshing with the threads thereof, a cylindrical member secured to the outer end of said core and slidably extending through the outer end of said tube, a compressible spring between said sleeve and member, a latch bolt slidably mounted within said case and extending through an opening in the front wall thereof, said bolt being restricted within said case by means of a detachable lug, rack teeth across an inner portion of said bolt, a compreSsible spring between said bolt and the rear wall of said case, and a gear Wheel secured in axial alignment to the inner end of said core and adapted to mesh with said rack teeth, the diameter of said gear wheel being less than the inside diameter of said tube, but greater than the inside diameter of said sleeve.

6. A device for operating a door latch comprising a case in a mortise in a, door, a tube secured to said door, the inner end of said tube being inserted into one side of said case and door, a knob-like member around the circumference of the outer end of said tube, an interiorly threaded tubular sleeve fixed within said tube, a threaded cylindrical core rotatably and slidably extending through said sleeve and meshing with the threads thereof, a cylindrical member secured to the outer end of said core and slidably extending through the outer end of said tube, a compressible spring between said sleeve and cylindrical member, a latch bolt slidably mounted within said case and extending through an opening in the front wall thereof, said bolt being restricted within said case by means of a detachable lug, rack teeth across an inner portion of said bolt, a compressible sprin between said bolt and the rear wall of said case, and a gear wheel secured in axial alignment to the inner end of said core and adapted to mesh with said rack teeth, the diameter of said gear wheel being less than the inside diameter of said tube, but greater than the inside diameter of said sleeve.

HAY B. REID.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Gruber Sept. 5, 1916 Number 

